Cleanings and exams
A cleaning removes plaque and tartar, and the exam is Dr. Loera's look at your teeth, gums and bite.
What happens
Usually about an hour.
- 01
Step 1: A talk
You tell us what has changed since your last visit, and any worries.
- 02
Step 2: The cleaning
Plaque and tartar come off above and just below the gum line.
- 03
Step 3: The exam
Dr. Loera checks each tooth, your gums and your bite, with X-rays only if she needs them.
- 04
Step 4: The plan
She tells you what she found and what, if anything, needs doing, with the fee in writing.
Comfort, choices and care
Comfort
Most cleanings need no numbing. If your gums are tender, tell us and we adjust.
How often
Many people come twice a year. Dr. Loera tells you the gap that fits your mouth.
Risks and aftercare
Gums can be sore or bleed a little for a day. Call us if they stay swollen.
How it's billed
The cleaning and the exam are quoted together. The fee is in your written estimate before we start.
How fees work
Questions about cleanings and exams
Do I need X-rays every time?
No. Dr. Loera takes them when she needs to see something the eye can't.
What is a deep cleaning?
A longer clean below the gum line for gums that are inflamed. She tells you if you need one.
What if I haven't been in years?
Come anyway. Nobody here will scold you. We start with where you are now.
Do you see children?
Please ask when you call. We tell you if another dentist would suit your child better.
Provided by a general dentist
Dr. Ariadna Loera, DDS, general dentist, licensed in Washington.